'The showgirl, the ringmaster and the circus all in one'

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Friday 3 October 2025

It's the big day: Taylor Swift has released her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Review here, if you feel like reading my thoughts. It looks destined to become Swift's most divisive record to date, attracting a mix of four, three and even two-star reviews. It's certainly not my favourite of her works (Reputation, for anyone curious, followed closely by Folklore), but I found plenty to love on there, including production with Max Martin and Shellback, some excellent songwriting (and some that's completely outrageous), plus some really varied but strong instrumentation.

This week's episode of Good Vibrations is also Taylor-themed (apologies, if you have zero interest but... deal with it) - my guest is Professor Stephanie Burt, whom you might remember from when she made international headlines for her Swift-themed class at Harvard University. Stephanie has a new book out, Versions, which offers in-depth analysis of Swift's music and songwriting - she was an absolute delight to speak to and full of fascinating insights from her literary lens.

We have some brilliant music features coming up for you all, if I say so myself: this Sunday's cover interview is with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who met Adam White to talk about her latest album, Perimenopop. Next Wednesday, you'll be able to read a chat with King Princess by Ellie Muir. Also: Hannah Ewens reviewed two documentaries, Channel 4's Taylor and the BBC's Sharon & Ozzy: Coming Home.

I'm keeping this brief because I am KNACKERED, but you can read on for my tracks of the week as well as to learn about this week's spotlight artist, Gatlin. Have a fabulous weekend all x

Now Read This:

Taylor review – Channel 4 tries hard to unravel the myths, but Swift's emotional fortress holds firm
Reneé Rapp: 'Tina Fey said, 'What's wrong with you? You're insane''

Written by Roisin O'Connor

More features...

Reneé Rapp: 'Tina Fey said, 'What's wrong with you? You're insane''

Written by Hannah Ewens

Taylor Swift review, The Life of a Showgirl: As compelling as she's ever been – the star, the ringmaster and the circus all in one

Written by Roisin O'Connor

ON THE RECORD

I used to try to hide the fact that I came from money

Mark Ronson to The Independent, September 2025

Every day, we were on the cusp of losing it

Biffy Clyro to The Independent, September 2025

I wanted to perform as a woman, not be regarded as a piece of meat

Annie Lennox to The Independent, September 2025

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Tracks of the week

Subscribe to the official Now Hear This playlist on Apple Music and stay up to date with all the best new releases

1. "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift

2. "Disarray" - Lianne La Havas

3. "Moth to a Flame" - Jazzy, Luuk Van Dijk

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Q&A

Spotlight on... Gatlin

Hello! Tell me about yourself

Howdy! I'm a girl from Florida who lives in LA and makes music and hangs out with her cats and her girlfriend. I also like to go line dancing and do yoga and try to keep my anxiety in check. Everyday I don't have a panic attack is a win! And that's how I calculate my days. Ayeeeee.
No, but for real I am a Virgo and try to stay extremely grounded in myself and my community. I love and have always loved making art & using that art to process whatever it is I'm going through. This year I have also started writing on other artists' projects and that has fulfilled another piece of my little creative heart. Also I can solve a Rubik's cube, do that three leaf clover thing with my tongue, and can rap the first 6 minutes of "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang (thanks to my hyper fixation in the 3rd grade).

What are your inspirations and influences?

There are so many influences! Sometimes when I'm feeling down and nihilistic and shit I focus on the fact that there aren't any original ideas… but then I land on the fact that there is an original way I can do that idea. Because we are each individuals. Tangent over. This record I went back to all the music I became hyper fixated and overplayed when I was a kid or teenager. I tried to chase that feeling and a lot of times… that level of honesty. I was listening to Avril Lavigne, Fleetwood Mac, Gwen Stefani, Mazzy Star, Kacey Musgraves, The Verve, Radiohead, Big Thief, The 1975, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen…. etc. All the usual suspects :)

What do you have lined up for the rest of the year and beyond?

Getting this record out and doing whatever I can for it to be heard by the people who need to hear. The album has been for me up until this point - and now it's for everyone else. So I just want to do what I can to have that kid who's confused about their sexuality hear it… or the person healing from their religious trauma… or literally whoever could be seen and heard from it. I also am playing a few shows and am hoping to do even more in 2026! Touring is my favorite part of this whole thing and it's just so special to see actual real life humans… not just a number on the stream count or a comment on the internet

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